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Personal Best (PB) Goal Setting and Students’ Motivation in Science: A Study of Science Valuing and Aspirations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 December 2014

Andrew J. Martin ,
Tracy L. Durksen ,
Derek Williamson ,
Julia Kiss  and
Paul Ginns
Andrew J. Martin*
Affiliation:
School of Education, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Tracy L. Durksen
Affiliation:
School of Education, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Derek Williamson
Affiliation:
Museum of Human Disease, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Julia Kiss
Affiliation:
Museum of Human Disease, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Paul Ginns
Affiliation:
Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Professor Andrew J. Martin, School of Education, University of New South WalesNSW 2052, Australia. E-mail: andrew.martin@unsw.edu.au
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Abstract

To build on prior correlational research into personal best (PB) goals and motivational outcomes, an experimental study was conducted to assess the role of PB goal setting in gains (or declines) in students’ motivation in science (viz. biology, anatomy, health). The study (comprising N = 71 elementary/primary and secondary school students) applied a pre/post-treatment/control group experimental design to test whether setting a PB learning goal in a self-paced science education program (conducted in a museum context) leads to growth in science valuing and science aspirations. The treatment group (PB goal setting), but not the control group, demonstrated significant growth in science aspirations (but not valuing) between pre- and post-testing. This study provides support for the proposition that PB learning goals are associated with motivational growth in students’ lives. Findings also hold implications for museum-based education programs for students.

Keywords

personal best (PB) goalsgoal settingsciencemotivationexperimental designmuseum
Type
Articles
Information
The Educational and Developmental Psychologist , Volume 31 , Issue 2 , December 2014 , pp. 85 - 96
Copyright
Copyright © Australian Psychological Society Ltd 2014 

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